Christmas Ornaments

To prepare a delicious little Christmas tree from choux, start by making the dough. In a bowl, mix the freshly sifted flour with the sugar, ensuring the ingredients are well combined. Then, in a pot, bring water to a boil over low heat, adding 100 g of butter. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the water starts to boil. It is essential that the butter completely melts and incorporates into the water.

When the mixture reaches boiling point, remove the pot from the heat and add the flour and sugar mixture all at once, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Place the pot back on low heat and stir constantly until the dough becomes a homogeneous mass that easily pulls away from the sides of the pot. It should have a uniform consistency and look like a ball of dough.

Continue stirring the dough for about 10 minutes, and if necessary, bring the pot closer to the heat to help it dry out. After the dough has cooled for 15-20 minutes, add the eggs one by one, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Use a mixer with spiral paddles for optimal consistency.

Preheat the oven and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Use a piping bag or two spoons to form small portions of dough (about the size of a walnut) on the prepared tray, making sure to leave enough space between them as they will rise during baking. Make sure to form choux of different sizes for a pleasing visual effect.

Bake the choux in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, being careful not to open the oven door in the first 15 minutes. After this time, watch them closely until they become golden and shiny. Once baked, let them cool to room temperature.

For the cream inside, mix the egg yolks with the sugar until creamy. Add the flour and cornstarch, then gradually pour in the hot milk, stirring continuously. Place the mixture over low heat and stir until it thickens. Let the cream cool, stirring occasionally.

Fill the choux shells with the cream, then proceed to assemble the tree. Place a bottle of champagne in the center of a large platter and arrange the large choux around it to form the base of the tree. Use thin strands of caramel to tie the choux together, creating a special effect. Continue building the tree, ensuring the champagne bottle is not visible.

For the top of the tree, you can create a star from sugar by pouring melted sugar into an oiled star-shaped mold. This choux tree will surely bring a magical touch to the Christmas holidays, being not only delicious but also a visual feast that will impress anyone. Enjoy every moment of this creative process and the joy of preparing a dessert that symbolizes the magic of the holidays!

 Ingredients: Ingredients (for 20 - 25 pieces): For the dough: * 100 g butter at room temperature (soft but not melted) cut into pieces * 250 ml water * 15 g sugar * 150 g '000' flour, freshly sifted * 4 medium-sized eggs For the cream: * 500 ml hot milk * 4 egg yolks * 80 g sugar * 30 g '000' flour, freshly sifted * 1 tablespoon of starch - Dr. Oetker For decorating the Christmas tree: * 12 tablespoons of sugar (approximately) * a little oil For the surprise inside the Christmas tree: Smile * a small bottle of champagne/wine (approximately 200 ml) - I used a bottle of Domeniile Tohani 2003 wine that I have kept for a while, without ever thinking that it could be hidden one day in a sweet Christmas tree.

 Tags:  eggs milk unt flour oil wine sugar christmas and new year's recipes vegetarian recipes recipes for children